Quash
/kwɒʃ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo officially reject or make invalid a judgment, decree, or document.
/kwɒʃ/
To reject or annul, especially by legal procedure.
The appeals court quashed the original ruling.
💡 Simply: Imagine a judge saying "Nope!" to something official, like a rule or an order. When they *quash* it, they're saying it's no good anymore and it's gone.
👶 For kids: To say 'no' to something important, like when a judge says a rule is not allowed.
More Examples
The king ordered the execution to be quashed.
The company tried to quash the negative press by releasing a new ad campaign.
How It's Used
"The judge quashed the subpoena due to lack of evidence."
"The government moved to quash the rebellion."
To suppress or put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder).
/kwɒʃ/
To suppress or subdue something, typically a feeling or action.
The government was quick to quash any dissent.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a feeling that you really want to stop, like feeling sad. When you *quash* the feeling, it's like you're squashing it down so it doesn't bother you.
👶 For kids: To stop or crush something, like a feeling or a bad idea.
More Examples
He attempted to quash the rumors circulating about him.
She had to quash her desire to quit the project.
How It's Used
"She struggled to quash her feelings of doubt."
"The army was sent to quash the uprising."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Quash a motion
To reject a formal request made to a court.
"The judge quashed the motion to dismiss the case."
Quash a rebellion
To put down or suppress an uprising or act of defiance against authority.
"The military was sent to quash the rebellion and restore order."
From Old French quasser ("to shatter, annul"), ultimately from Latin quassare ("to shake violently").
The word quash was first recorded in English in the 14th century, initially with the meaning of "to crush or smash."
Memory tip
Think of a squash racquet hitting a ball so hard it becomes nothing. Quash is to make something become nothing legally.
Word Origin
"to shatter, annul"